Because of what God has done for us ( Romans 8:1-11), believers have an obligation to respond appropriately. However we can only do so with the Spirit"s help. Paul stated only the negative side of our responsibility here. He could have gone on to say "... but to God, to live according to the Spirit." He planned to stress that in the verses that follow. [source][source][source]
This verse teaches clearly that the believer still has a sinful human nature within him even though he has died with Christ. God does not eradicate the believer"s flesh at conversion. Therefore we must not "live [1] according to" it. Progressive sanctification is not something the Christian may take or leave. God commanded us to pursue it (cf. Titus 2:12; 2 Peter 1:3-11; 2 Peter 3:18). [source][source][source]
Context Summary
Romans 8:10-17 - Children And Heirs Of God
The Spirit here is of course the Holy Spirit, by whom Christ our Lord lives within us. It is passing wonderful that as the life which throbs in the heart beats also in the pulse, so the very life which is in Christ in glory is also in our hearts. Our main task is to put aside every barrier to its full expression. This is what the Apostle means by doing to death the practices, stratagems, and lawless promptings of the body, which are ever calling for ease and self-indulgence. There is no stage of our earthly pilgrimage at which we can dispense with the power of the Spirit of God for deliverance from the deeds of the body.
But there is another most blessed function of the divine Spirit, Romans 8:14. He is willing to lead us, to prompt our actions, to inspire our purposes, and to mold our characters. The more we yield to Him, the deeper becomes our awareness of that filial relationship with God which breathes in the cry, Abba, Father. But note the wonderful climax, Romans 8:17. If we yield to the Holy Spirit, He will conduct us into the divine treasure-house and bid us avail ourselves of the infinite resources which are there stored for our use, not in the next life, but in this. [source]
Chapter Summary: Romans 8
1Those who are in Christ are free from condemnation 5What harm comes of the flesh; 13and what good of the Spirit 19The glorious deliverance the creation longs for, 29was beforehand decreed from God 38Nothing can sever us from his love
Not to the flesh [ου τηι σαρκι] Negative ου ou goes with preceding verb and τηι σαρκι tēi sarki not with the infinitive του ζηιν tou zēin f0). [source]
Reverse Greek Commentary Search for Romans 8:12
Romans 15:27Their debtors [οπειλεται αυτων] Objective genitive: the Gentiles are debtors to the Jews. See the word οπειλετης opheiletēs in Romans 1:14; Romans 8:12. [source]
Romans 8:31For these things [προς ταυτα] From Romans 8:12 on Paul has made a triumphant presentation of the reasons for the certainty of final sanctification of the sons of God. He has reached the climax with glorification But Paul lets the objector have his say as he usually does so that in Romans 8:31-39 he considers the objections. [source]
Parse: Noun, Dative Feminine Singular
Root: σάρξ
Sense: flesh (the soft substance of the living body, which covers the bones and is permeated with blood) of both man and beasts.
Parse: Noun, Accusative Feminine Singular
Root: σάρξ
Sense: flesh (the soft substance of the living body, which covers the bones and is permeated with blood) of both man and beasts.
Greek Commentary for Romans 8:12
See note on Galatians 5:3; Romans 1:14. [source]
Negative ου ou goes with preceding verb and τηι σαρκι tēi sarki not with the infinitive του ζηιν tou zēin f0). [source]
Reverse Greek Commentary Search for Romans 8:12
Objective genitive: the Gentiles are debtors to the Jews. See the word οπειλετης opheiletēs in Romans 1:14; Romans 8:12. [source]
Conclusion of the argument. Cf. Romans 7:3, Romans 7:25; Romans 8:12, etc. Paul resumes the parallel between Adam and Christ begun in Romans 5:12 and interrupted by explanation (Romans 5:13.) and contrast (Romans 5:15-17). [source]
From Romans 8:12 on Paul has made a triumphant presentation of the reasons for the certainty of final sanctification of the sons of God. He has reached the climax with glorification But Paul lets the objector have his say as he usually does so that in Romans 8:31-39 he considers the objections. [source]
In N.T. mostly of one under moral obligation. So in the sense of sinner, Matthew 6:12; Luke 13:4. Comp. Romans 1:14; Romans 8:12. Similarly the verb ὀφείλειν toowe, as Luke 11:4; Luke 17:10; Romans 15:1, etc., though it is frequent in the literal sense. [source]